Blake, Benjamin (1859-1940)

Benjamin Blake was a manufacturer of rustic furniture and a building contractor. He lived at 847 Park Road from 1909 to 1911.

He was born on July 26, 1859, in Plumstead, Kent, England. His father was William Blake; his mother was Hannah Le Pla (1832-1875).

Benjamin had a variety of occupations. In 1881, he was a general smith. In 1891, he was a steam hammer driver. By 1901, he was a shop keeper, dealing in oil and colour.

In early 1882, in Poplar, Middlesex, he married Ellen Maria Eades. She was born in Lambeth, London, on July 1, 1864. Her father was George Augustus Eades; her mother was Lucy Elizabeth Weaver.

By 1900, Benjamin and Hannah had four children, who were all born in England.

By about 1903, Benjamin, Ellen and their family had arrived in Canada. They first appeared in Vancouver about 1907. Benjamin made rustic furniture and worked as a building contractor until he retired about 1925.

Ellen died in Vancouver on May 21, 1931. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Benjamin died in Vancouver on March 7, 1940. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Benjamin and Ellen had the following children:

George William Blake

George William Blake was born in Poplar, Middlesex, on September 14, 1882. He worked as a mail carrier. On June 16, 1915, in Vancouver, he married Harriet Emily Haydock. She was born in Bolton, England, on April 20, 1889. Her father was James Haydock, who was a cotton spinner; her mother was Sarah Taylor.

George died in South Vancouver, British Columbia, on December 30, 1921. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

On June 2, 1923, in Vancouver, Harriet married Alfred Longhurst, who was a widower. He was a fireman in Vancouver. He was born in England, probably on February 3, 1888. His father was James Longhurst; his mother was Jemina Saunders.

Harriet died in Vancouver on October 17, 1957.

Alfred Longhurst later married Mary Ann Jean (Jane) Gooderson (née Peacock). She was born in England on September 13, 1898. Her father was Henry Peacock; her mother was Ellen Piggott.

Alfred died in Vancouver on January 20, 1963.

Mary Ann died in Vancouver on April 5, 1973.

Ellen Marie Blake

Ellen Marie (or Maria) Blake was born in Poplar, Middlesex, on October 8, 1883. She married James Ogilvie, who became a meat products salesman for Swift Canadian.

James died in Vancouver on January 31, 1966. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Ellen died in Burnaby, British Columbia, on September 18, 1972. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

James and Ellen had the following children.

Ernest Arthur Ogilvie

Ernest Arthur Ogilvie was born in British Columbia on July 14, 1912. He worked as a clerk. He died in Vancouver on March 9, 1933. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

George William Ogilvie

George William Ogilvie was living in Burnaby in 1972.

James Ogilvie, Junior

James Ogilvie, Junior, lived with his parents at 3350 Inverness Street in Vancouver until 1935. No further information is available for him at this time.

Benjamin John Blake

Benjamin John Blake was born in Poplar, Middlesex, in March 2, 1887. He worked as a furniture upholsterer.

On December 17, 1913, in Vancouver, he married Sarah Georgina Thomas (sometimes called Georgina Sarah Thomas). She was born in On January 15, 1889, in Oshawa, Ontario. Her father was Matthew Thomas; her mother was Mary Ellen Smith. She worked as an optician’s assistant.

By about 1920, Benjamin and Georgina were living in Toronto, Ontario.

By about 1927, they had moved to California. In 1930, they were living in Maywood, in southeast Los Angeles County.

Benjamin died in Los Angeles on February 16, 1940.

Georgina continued to live in California. She died in Los Angeles on December 31, 1959.

Benjamin and Georgina had the following children.

Earl Norman Blake

Earl Norman Blake was born in Canada on May 25, 1915. On August 6, 1939, in Orange County, California, he married Theresa Kellas. She was born in California about 1916. Her father was James Kellas; her mother was Christina Eliopulos.

Earl died in San Bernardino, California on January 22, 1994.

Audrey Ellen Blake

Audrey Ellen Blake was born in Canada about 1917. On July 29, 1939, in Orange County, California, she married Earle William Bullock. He was born in Nebraska on July 23, 1915. His father was Earle Wallace Bullock; his mother was Rhea La Farge.

Earle died in San Bernardino, California, on March 12, 1984.

Kenneth George Blake

Kenneth George Blake was born in California about 1927. On April 19, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, he married Lois Jane Crampton. She was born about 1930. Her father was Walton T. Crampton; her mother was Jessie Cowan.

Hannah Elizabeth Blake

Hannah Elizabeth Blake was born in Poplar, Middlesex, in 1899. She became a supervisor for a telephone company.

On June 20, 1923, in Vancouver, Hannah married Walter Arthur Mitchell. He was born on March 6, 1887 in Wolseley, Saskatchewan. His father was Enoch Mitchell; his mother was Elizabeth Kane.

Walter worked as a train baggage man for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He died in Vancouver on January 19, 1944. Hannah worked as a telephone operator until at least 1953, when she was living in Steveston, British Columbia.

George William Blake, obituary, Vancouver Province, January 3, 1922, page 17: “The death occurred on Friday of George William Blake, at his residence, 5051 Chester street, South Vancouver, at the age of 39 years. He left a wife, his father, mother and two sisters in this city and a brother in Toronto to mourn his loss. Mr. Blake was a mail-carrier and was especially well known in the Mount Pleasant district. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him and sincere sympathy is being extended to his sorrowing family by a large circle of friends. He was born in England and had resided in Vancouver for the past eleven years. The funeral took place on Monday at 2:30 p.m., form the parlors of Harron Brothers, 2123 Main street, Rev. Mr. Jackson officiating. Interment will be in Mountain View cemetery.”

George William Blake, death notice, Vancouver Sun, January 2, 1922, page 14: “Blake – Funeral of the late George William Blake will take place on Monday, January 2, at 2:30 p.m. from Harron Bros. parlors, 2123 Main Street, the Rev. Mr. Jackson officiating. Interment in Mountain View Cemetery.”